Derrick Henry is one of many high-profile names which has been included in trade talk ahead of the upcoming deadline. For the time being, though, it appears likely the Titans’ All-Pro back will remain in place. 
While the Titans are still open to the notion of moving the two-time rushing champion, they have informed Henry of their intention to retain him, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Henry has been floated as a trade candidate given his status as a pending free agent and the Titans’ status as expected sellers in the coming days (as forecasted by the Kevin Byard trade).
Dianna Russini of The Athletic confirms (subscription required) that Tennessee – now led by general manager Ran Carthon – would only give serious consideration to a Henry trade in the event of an “exceptional offer” being made. Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com stop short of saying that it will take an “exceptional offer” to land Henry, though they do confirm that an interested team will need to pony up more than the mid-round pick it would normally cost to acquire a star player on an expiring, above-minimum contract at the deadline. While teams have called about the Titans’ trade chips (a group which includes, but is not limited to, the three-time Pro Bowler), both the ESPN and Athletic reports state the Cowboys have not made an offer for him.
Dallas – along with Baltimore – was named as an interested party for Henry earlier this week. The former Offensive Player of the Year would give both the Cowboys and Ravens a considerable boost in the ground game, but a deal involving either team (or, in all likelihood, any other one) would depend on the Titans’ willingness to eat some of Henry’s remaining salary. The final year of his pact carries a $10.5MM salary, but his new club would be responsible for roughly half that amount if a trade were to be worked out.
Today’s updates come after a report emerged at the beginning of the week stating the Titans were not willing to consider 2023 a write-off and actively look to move players like Henry and wideout DeAndre Hopkins (in part due to the lack of healthy market for either veteran). Indeed, Russini notes that both Henry and Hopkins are on track to remain in Nashville through the October 31 deadline.
The former has an underwhelming 4.3 yards per carry average in 2023, though the Titans’ O-line and the rest of its offense has underperformed to date. Nearing his 30th birthday, however, Henry is in serious danger of seeing his free agent value take a signficant step back given the nature of the RB market as a whole. A move to a contending team could boost his prospects in free agency, but it would come as a surprise at this point if one were to materialize.
4.3 yards per carry is underwhelming? Since when? He had 4.4 last year and rushed for 1500 yards.
Josh Jacobs has gotten 20 more rush attempts than Henry but apparently his 2.9 yards per carry average is just dandy.
Move him. Better to trade a guy a year too early than a year too late. The Cowboys are a good fit. The Titans were prepared to pay him, so go ahead and pay him. Eat the money to get a better return.
DonOsbourne Maybe they just value having him as an iconic career Titan more than whatever’s out there to get back for a 29 year old RB. With his age, the quality of the RB FA class, and the general state of the RB market, they could probably resign him on a very reasonable short term deal.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Henry is the rare type of veteran who’s content to stay put with his team as long as they want him on a fair deal, rather than leave to ring chase.
If they could sign him to a reasonable deal…don’t you think they would have?
Henry likely isn’t going to re-sign behind that atrocious OL.
kylewait89 He might want to stay but have a different opinion of what a reasonable offer is, than the Titans. Some guys need to be humbled by the FA market.
This is a colossal mistake by a rookie GM .. all vets should be flipped for picks .. your not doing anybody a solid by keeping them , the vet player is stuck in a losing situation, the team has to play said vet blocking the evaluation of the younger guys on the team , you screw the fans with your 50/50 product,like we got Henry yeah , oh but we got two wins .. instead of sending the clear message we are building for tomorrow (which the fans can get behind) your still selling hope.. putting pressure on said vets .. great teams draft and develop.. since you never know who’s gonna be good and who’s gonna bust, take the picks and shoot more shots .. good gms don’t lose good players for nothing
Plus if you trade him you can totally avoid the awkward conversation about an extension. The guy is a franchise icon so he deserves something better than a cold shoulder. But if you trade him you can act like you’re doing it to give him a chance to play for a contender. A far less tense situation for both parties.
They needed to trade Henry at the beginning of the year – as then someone would at least get a full-year rental on the guy.
Posturing by the Titans to try and squeeze a better deal. They clearly didn’t get the offers they wanted in the offseason and decided to hold off to the deadline and are likely still underwhelmed. The Titans know they have to trade him now. Never believe a word that a GM or HC says to the press.
The Tannehill/Henry offense is past it’s expiration date. They need to tear down and rebuild for the future.
Giants NEED to draft QB in upcoming draft.
They needed to draft a QB the year after they drafted Jones.